🔗 Share this article

A judge has dismissed Drake's defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar's track Not Like Us.

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that Lamar's song lyrics, which claimed Drake and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be deemed libelous.

Drake filed the legal action in early this year, accusing Universal Music Group, the record label behind the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by allowing the track to be released and marketed, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's spokesperson said he planned to appeal the decision. Universal Music Group said it was satisfied with the result and was eager to resuming its work with the musician.

Background of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of Lamar's career, having received multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-talked about highlights of his Super Bowl half-time show in February.

In a 38-page order, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

"Both rappers’ seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the judge wrote.

"Although the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and offensive accusations exchanged by each artist, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, the artist had "challenged Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in the diss record.

On the song his own release, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

"Suggest he has a preference for minors, consider that a tip," the song proposed.

"It is in this context in which such lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," wrote the court.

"The parallel in the wording suggests strongly that this lyric is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

Drake, whose legal name is Aubrey Graham, did not name Lamar in the legal filing.

His lawyers accused the label of initiating "a campaign to generate a viral hit" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the audience should resort to extra-legal action in response".

Deciding against Drake, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that Drake himself had engaged in similar language, quoting a line in which the artist "strongly" implied that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and another where he "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."

Regarding Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Although seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, passionate language or exaggeration."

Responding to the rejection, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this case was an insult to all artists and their artistic freedom and should not have been filed."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and are eager to continuing our partnership successfully marketing the artist’s work and investing in his career," the representative added.

A spokesperson for Drake said the rapper intended to contest the ruling, "and we look forward to the appellate court examining it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the legal matter.